Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Nov. 23, 2024) - Coming up just short in its bid for a fourth straight victory to open the season, the North Central College men's basketball team lost a 76-69 decision at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Saturday after extending the No. 2-ranked Pioneers into overtime.
The Cardinals (3-1) led by as many as 12 points in the second half before the hosts rallied and tied the score at 60-60 just before the buzzer sounded in regulation. Platteville got the upper hand early in the extra period to claim a victory over North Central for the third straight season.
As they have throughout the young season, the Cardinals enjoyed a strong start to the contest.
Tyler Swierczek scored eight straight points to open up an early 10-5 lead, and the guests held a 17-16 edge when they went on a 16-4 run over just more than five minutes to take their biggest lead of the night at 33-20. North Central made 5 of 8 shots from the floor in the surge while the Pioneers shot 1 of 5.
Ethan Helwig made two three-pointers in the sequence.
Platteville (3-1) made strong drives to the basket with Miles Hettinger and Logan Pearson to score eight straight points before Swierczek pulled up for three to leave the score at 36-28 with seven seconds before halftime. The Pioneers' Ben Probst was fouled just before the buzzer and made two free throws, sending the game into the break with the Cardinals in front, 36-30.
Swierczek opened the second period with his fourth three-pointer of the night and North Central built its advantage back up to 48-36 with 14:57 to play. The Cardinals endured an ill-time eight-minute offensive drought which enabled UWP to put up 14 straight points and take a 54-50 lead with 6:27 left.
Drew Gaston knocked down a jumper and
Sean Molloy sank two free throws to tie the score at 54-54 with 3:06 left. Pearson was fouled on a fast break and made both free throws with 2:25 on the clock, but North Central tied the score once again 20 seconds later as Gaston knocked down a jumper from the left baseline off an inbound pass from
Terrance Moncrief.
A missed inside attempt by Pearson on the other end opened the door for the Cardinals to regain the lead, and Gaston followed with another baseline jumper, this time from the right side, to nudge North Central in front, 58-56, with 1:09 left.
Probst claimed a pair of offensive rebounds before converting a game-tying layup with 34 seconds on the clock. Gaston delivered yet another go-ahead score, as his running left-handed layup left the visitors in front, 60-58.
With just seven seconds left, the hosts were able to navigate the North Central pressure and beat the buzzer with Pearson's layup to tie the score at 60-60. The Pioneers scored seven of the first nine points in overtime to gain the upper hand for good.
Swierczek led North Central with a season-high 16 points, making 4 of 8 three-point shots. Molloy put up 13 points while Helwig and Gaston each totaled 12. Pearson and Hettinger scored 24 points each for the Pioneers.
The Cardinals take the floor at Gregory Arena for the first time this season Tuesday, hosting Benedictine University (1-3). Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Click
HERE for the full 2024-2025 schedule and live coverage options.
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